Skrlik Upsets Homan in Extra Ends for First Olympic Trials Win
In a thrilling match during the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials, Calgary’s Kayla Skrlik delivered a remarkable upset by defeating top-ranked Rachel Homan from Ottawa. The match concluded with an 8-7 victory for Skrlik, which came after extra ends. This victory ended Homan’s impressive 32-game winning streak, a span of 413 days against Canadian teams.
Key Moments in Skrlik’s Upset
Skrlik’s team showcased exceptional skill by breaking a 4-4 tie with a three-point score in the ninth end. Although Homan, the reigning Canadian and world champion, forced the game into extra ends by claiming three points in the tenth, Skrlik remained determined. She expressed that entering the extra end with the hammer was a significant opportunity.
Match Statistics
| Team | Score | Winning Streak |
|---|---|---|
| Kayla Skrlik | 8 | Stopped Homan’s 32-game streak |
| Rachel Homan | 7 | Defending Champion |
Other Notable Wins
Halifax’s Christina Black also secured her first victory in the Olympic trials. She defeated Winnipeg’s Kaitlyn Lawes with a decisive 7-3 score, handing Lawes her first loss of the tournament. Meanwhile, Kerri Einarson’s rink from Gimli remained undefeated, moving to 3-0 after a commanding 9-1 victory over Corryn Brown from Kamloops.
- Einarson continues to perform well after finishing runner-up to Homan in the recent Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
- Lawes managed to clinch a close 8-7 win over Selena Sturmay in an earlier match.
- Brown narrowly defeated Skrlik 7-6 in earlier action.
Men’s Competition Highlights
In the men’s section of the tournament, Brad Gushue from St. John’s and Matt Dunstone from Winnipeg achieved a strong status of 2-0. Gushue triumphed over Calgary’s Kevin Koe with a score of 5-3, while Dunstone outperformed Jordon McDonald, also from Winnipeg, with an 8-4 victory. Other notable matches included John Epping’s 9-5 victory against Mike McEwen and defending champion Brad Jacobs overcoming Ryan Kleiter 6-4 in the eleventh end.
Looking Ahead
The winners from the men’s and women’s competitions will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. As this Olympic trials continue, athletes remain focused on their goals and the prestigious opportunity ahead.
